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Some of your employees might have irritating qualities, but it's important to remember these qualities often have positive aspects as well, Jennifer Goforth Gregory writes. A stubborn employee, for example, might possess the determination necessary to tackle tough challenges. It's a good idea to have your employees take a personality test and modify their job responsibilities to make the best use of their unique character traits, she writes.

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Shoplifting can take a significant toll on your business, but there are a number of technological tools that can help to stop thieves in their tracks, writes Jennifer Goforth Gregory. Technology is available that can identify known shoplifters or notify you when merchandise is removed from a display. Switching to a mobile point of sale system can also help, because it will enable employees to move around the store more freely.

Business leaders can use several low-cost strategies to advance their marketing efforts, Dave Mielach writes. Owners can act as powerful advocates by handing out business cards and seeking input from current and former clients, Mielach writes, drawing on advice from the National Women's Business Council and the Small Business Administration. Gathering feedback from employees can provide important insights, and keeping customers happy with special offers and attention can encourage them to spread the word about your brand.

YouTube can be a powerful tool for small-business marketers -- but it's so versatile that crafting an effective strategy can be tricky, Michael Miller writes. It's important to be clear about whether you're trying to win new customers or to support your existing ones and whether you are attempting to inform or educate viewers, Miller writes.

To deliver a top-notch customer experience and make your brand stand out, you need to communicate with a tone that is aligned with the nature of your business, and you need to be consistent across the totality of your marketing efforts, writes Jim Joseph. "As soon as one element of your marketing falls out of step with the rest, you put the brand in jeopardy with your customers," he writes.

Mobile devices can allow your employees to be productive and collaborate no matter where they are, but a shift to mobile should build on processes your staff already uses instead of layering on new ones, David Lavenda writes. Prioritize ease of use over security, let employees use their own mobile devices and provide training when necessary.